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The Welsh side claimed a hard-fought 1-0 success against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their hopes of World Cup qualifying.

Jordan James claimed his maiden international strike for the national team from close range after Liechtenstein’s group of full-time players, amateurs and students had defended for over an hour. James wheeled away in joy with his obvious relief echoed by the large contingent of Wales followers occupying most sections of the stadium in Vaduz.

Moments later, yet, Jordan James was booked and a further booking for Ethan Ampadu resulted in the pair are suspended for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents through accumulated bookings.

The Cardiff City Stadium match is a clash the Welsh team need to win to overtake North Macedonia and secure a improved position in the playoffs in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an unfamiliar perspective from the stands, the head coach serving a sideline suspension after receiving a second yellow card in the competition earlier.

Bellamy’s number two Cremers assumed duties in the technical area and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from sitting out the final qualifier. A pair were booked in incidents that may damage their team.

The home side, situated 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 times at an rate of almost four per fixture.

Wales predictably dominated possession as Liechtenstein employed a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

Liechtenstein's net saw little action until Nathan Broadhead chasing down won possession and Jordan James saw his effort from the penalty area pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing crafted an opportunity, Jordan finding his teammate on this occasion with a precise delivery over the top.

The attacker's superb first touch took him past Büchel but the attacker could not convert from a tight angle.

Wales thought they had broken the deadlock after 26 minutes when Jordan James directed a high Sorba Thomas corner back into a packed six-yard box.

Büchel was harassed by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' joy were halted when the referee was directed to the pitchside monitor and determined that at least one of the Welsh defenders was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

The visitors raised the tempo after the half-time and Sorba Thomas provided a centering pass to the far post which the winger struck the frame of the goal.

Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it appeared like a frustrating evening for Wales.

However, with the match having entered its second half, Neco Williams executed a shrewd pass for his teammate to run past the home defence.

Daniel James beat the goalkeeper with a superb ball into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the straightforward job of easing Wales' tension.